Method of and apparatus for carrying out gas reactions by the use of an electric arc.



G. WAGENER, METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT GAS REAGTIGNS BYTHE USE OF AN ELECTRIC ARC.

APPLIOATIUN FILED NOV. 22, 1911.

1,039,852, Patented 0013.1.1912.

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5o pressed gases and moved so as to close the switch when the receptacleis completely WTEEP GUSTAV 'WAGENER, OF SGHLEBUSCELMAKFGBT, GERMANY,ASSIGNGB- T6 L" DE N'EMOURS POWDER. CGMPANY 6F WILMINGTON, IDELAXVARE, A

OF NEW JERSEY.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT GAS REACTIONS BY AN ELECTRICABC.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Get, 1., ifii fi.

Application filed November 22, 1911. Serial No. 681,782.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAV WAGENER, a subject of the Emperor of Germany,residing at Schlebusch-lViantort, Germany, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Methods of and Apparatus for Carrying Out GasReactions by the Use of an Electric Arc, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanyin drawings, which form a part of this speci cation.

'My' invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for carryingout gas reactions bythe use of an electric arc. in carrying out suchreactions, there has been invented (see my application Serial No.61,761, filed November 22, 1911) a method which consists in compressingthe gas to be heated in the reaction receptacle, under air tight seal,by means oi an electric arc until the maximum pressure is reached and,at this precise point, suddenly expandin f the reaction mixture in an e,.losivedle manner, in such a manner that the same suddenly cooled.

The subject matter of my in ention relates to certain improvements inthis method, and in apparatus for carryir j out my improved method. itspurpose LS to prevent an excessive heating of the reaction receptacle,and to reduce the amount of current used. This I accomplish byintroducing the comprc sed gases slowly into the reaction receptacle andproducing the arc only when the receptacle is entirely'tilled Witl thecompressed gas. The resultant is that the cold compressed gases, beingintroduced slowly, into the reaction receptacle, are preheated, by meansof the hot Walls of the receptrcle, which are present in thereceptacle'from the last reaction, before the. arc is formed. In thismanner also the receptacle is correspondingly cooled after eachreaction, and a considerable economy of current is cfiected. The closingof the cirwit to form the arc can be ettected automatically by means ofa switch operated by a pressure device rendered active by the graduallyincreasing pressure of the comfilled with compressed gases.

connected to the arm 11 and, the

In fine, my method comprisesgradually admittin the gases into thereceptacle and forming the are when the gases in the re ceptacle reachthe desired pr ire, and cutting off said are when the pressure fallsbelow that point. Further, in regulating the formation and disruption ofsaid are by the pressure or lack of pressure of the gases thereceptacle.

I will now describe the apparatus for c rying out my intention, whichapp is illustrated in the accompanying ings, in which Figure 1 is anelevation, partly in sec" of an apparatus embodying my inventlni. Fig.is a plan view of same.

a is the receptacle, 6 and f the electri between which the arc is formedin the receptacle.

n is a pipe forming the inlet for the gases to the receptacle a. 7 is abranch pipe from said pipe at leading to the cylinder 8 which is thepiston 9. y

is a valve in the pipe at between the source oxt' gas supply and thebranch pipe 'Z.

22 is a Wire leading from one pole of current supply to electrode 6, and21 is a Wire leading from the other pole of current supto the electrodeOn these circuits between the source of'electricity and the electrodes,is a switch apparatus, as follows: it) is a piston rod of piston 9, drawsprings 16 at the forward end of the cylinder hearing against the stops20 tend to hold the rod and piston to the left. The outer end of thisrod 10 has the slot 2% in which rests the pin 15 of the switch arm 11. Aspring 1% normally holds the arm 11 in the position shown in thedrawing, and the switch opens. This spring bears against a pin 15 on theswitch armll. The switch arm is pivoted on the pin 12, and a spring orsprings 13 tend to more the switch arm to the right and close theswitch, but arecverconie by the strength of spring 14- Which is free toact except when thepiston and red at outer end of their stroke, 18, a

position of the switch, enter ceptacl'es, connected to the close thecircuit.

The operation is as iollowsp 'llhe valas;

being opened, the desired amount, the gas passes to the receptacle a. Atthe same time it passes through pipe 7 to cylinder 8, moving piston androd to the right. This does not. aliect the arm ll until the length ofslot 2d has been traversed, after which a further movement releasesspring Li and springs 13 act quickly to move bars 18 to cause them toenter the mercury cups 1'? and close the circuit. The arrangement is soadjusted that this talresplacc when the gases in the receptacle areof-the desired quantity and pressure. In like manner, when the pressureis relieved in receptacle a, the piston and rod move to the left, thespring it becomes active, and at once opens the switch.

Having ngw fully described my invention, What I claim and desire toprotect by Let ters Patent is: f r

1. The m ethod of carrying'outggas reacztions by the electric arc,whicii coiisists in admitting'the gas comparatively slowly into thereceptacle to permit the same to be preheated before the arc is formed,and when the desired volume and pressure are reached, forming theelectric arc.

2. The method of carrying out gas reactions by the electric are, whichconsists in admitting the gas into the receptacle, and. when the desiredvolume and pressure are reached, forming the electric arc.

8. The method of carrying out gas reactions by the electric are, whichconsists in admitting the gas comparatively slowly into the receptacleto permit. the same to be preheated before the arc is formed, and whenthe desired volume and pressure are reached, forming the electric arc,and extinguishing the are as'soon as the pressure and volume fall belowsaid last mentioned volume and pressure.

4. The method of carrying out gas reactions by the electric arc, whichconsists in admitting the gas'into the receptacle and when the desiredvolume and pressure are reached, forming the electric arc andextinguishing the are as soon as the pressure and volume fall below saidlastnientioned volume and'prcssure.

The m thod of carrying out gas reactions by the electric are, whichconsists in admitting the gas comparatively slowly into the race itaclcto permit the same to be pre heated before the arc is formed, and whenthe desired pressure is reached, forming the electric arc.

6. The method of carrying out gas reac-y 'LlOIlS by the electric whichconsists iii admitting the gas comparatively slowly intothe receptacleto permit the same to be pre heated before the arc is forme and when thedesired pressure is reachet rming the electric arc, and extinguishingthe are as soon as the pressure falls below said last mentionedpressure.

'7. The method of carrying out gas reactions by the electric are, whichconsists in admitting the gas into the receptacle and when the desiredpressure is reached, forming the electric arc.

8. The method of carrying out gas reactions by the electric are, whichconsists in admitting the gas into the receptacle and when the desiredpressure is reached, forming the electric arc, and extinguishing the areas soon as the pressure falls below said last. mentioned pressure. A

J. In an apparatus for carrying out gas reactions by means of anelectric arc, in combination, a receptacle, a pipe for admitting the gasto the receptacle, electrodes in said receptacle, a normally openelectric circuit, a switch in said circuit, a pressure device forclosing said circuit and connection between-said pressure. device-andthe interior of the receptacle."

10. Inan apparatus for carrying out gas reactions by means of anelectric arc, in combination, a receptacle, a pipe for admitting the gasto the receptacle, electrodes in said receptacle, a normall openelectric circuit, a switch in said circuit, a pressure device forclosing said circuit, and connection between said pressure device andsaid pipe.

11. In an apparatus for carrying out gas reactions, by means of anelectric arc, in combination, a receptacle, a pipe for admitting the gasto the receptacle, electrodes in said receptacle, an electric circuit, aswitch in said circuit, a pressure device for controlling said circuit,and connection between said pressure device and said pipe, a valve onsaid pipe between the gas supply and the connection to the pressuredevice.

12. In an apparatus, for carrying out gas reactions, in combination, apipe for admitting gas to the receptacle, a cylinder, a spring actedpiston in said cylinder, a pipe connection between said cylinder and the.gas conveying pipe, electrodes in said receptacle, a normally openelectric circuit, a switch in said circuit, said switch being operatedby said piston to close the circuit.

13. In an apparatus for carrying out gas reactions, in combination, apipe for admitting gas to the receptacle, a cylinder, a spring actedpiston in said cylinder, a pipe connection between said cylinder and thegas conveying pipe, electrodes in said roceptacle, an electric circuit,a switch in said ,fillCult, said switch being operated by said piston, avalve in said gas conveying pipe between the source of gas suppl 1 andthe branch pipe leading to the cylinder.

14.. In an apparatus for carrying out gas reactions, in combination, apipe for admitting gas to the receptacle, a cylinder, a spring actedpiston in said cylinder, a pipe connection between said cylinder and thegas conveying pipe, electrodes in said receptacle,

an electric circuit, a switch in said circuit, a

slotted connection between said switch and the stem of said piston. 7

15. In an apparatus for carrying out gas reactions, in combination, apipe for admittinggas to the receptacle, a cylinder,- a spring actedpiston in said cylinder, a pipe connection between said cylinder and thegas conveying pipe, electrodes in said receptacle,

an electric circuit, a switch in said circuit, a

slotted connection between said switch andthe stem of said piston,a'valve in said gas conveying pipe between the source of gas suppl andthe branch pipe leading to the cylin er.

16 In an apparatus for carrying out gas reactions, in combination, apipe for admitting gas to the receptacle, a c linder, a spring actedpiston in said cylin er, a pipe connection between said; cylinder andthegas conveying pipe, electrodes in said receptacle, an electric circuit,a switch in'said circuit, a spring acting to close said switch, aiockingspring adapted to hold said switch open against the action of theclosing spring, connection between said switch and the rod ofsaid-piston adapted in one direction of movement of the piston torelease said switch from' said locking spring and, in the otherdirection, to ,bring it into connection with said locking spring.

17. In an apparatus for carrying out gas reactions, in combination, apipe for admit-' with said locking spring, a valve in said gas conveyingpipe between the source of gas supply and the branch pipe leading to thecylinder.

18. In an apparatus fol: carrying out gas reactions, in combination, apipe for admittin gas to the receptacle, a cylinder, a sprlng actedpiston in said cylinder, a pipe connection between said cylinder and thegas conveying pipe, electrodes in said receptacle, an electric circuit,a switch in said circuit, a spring acting to close said switch, alocking spring adapted to hold said switch open against the action ofthe closing spring, a slotted connection between said switch and the rodof said piston adapted in one direction of movement of the piston torelease said switch from said locking spring, and, in the otherdirection, to bring it into connection with said locking spring.

19. In an apparatus for carrying out gas reactions, in combination, apipe for admit ting gas to the receptacle, a cylinder, a spring actedpiston in said cylinder, a pipe connection between said cylinder and thegas conveying pipe, electrodes in said receptacle,

an electric circuit, a switch in said circuit, a

spring acting to close said switch, a locking spring adapted to holdsaid switch open against the action of the closing spring, a slottedconnection between said switch and the rod or" said piston adapted inone direction of movement of the piston to release said switch from saidlocking spring, and, in the other direction, to bring it into connecti nwith said locking spring, a valve in said gas. conveying pipe betweenthe source of gas supply and the branch pipe leading to the cylinder.

In testimony of which invention, 1' have hereunto set my hand, atCologne, Germany, on this 3d day of November, 1911.

GUSTAV 'WAGENER. Witnesses:

ELISE Scnwanz, Hans Dnaronr.

